Mac Mini $494

[kamranziadar]

Its a Cute thing, it is not for playing games it is for decoration.

 

[Lufusol]

Mac haters are quick to find flaws in this deal. Guys, take it easy - it's a good deal, you're just not mac people. Nevermind PCs for a minute, keep it in perspective - Macs are expensive, this one isn't. That = Good deal.

 

[tsch]

Originally posted by: vegetation
Can you add a TV tuner to this?

Yes you can, but it'll be external. ElGato makes the eyeTV (usb interface), and there are other companies that makes FW interface TV tuners.

Originally posted by: bigpow
Definitely not suitable for HTPC because:
2. No built-in TV Tuner w/ HW enc. ala Win MCE,

As I'm sure you know, HTPCs can use external (USB2 or FireWire) boxes, which most definately are available for Mac

Apple is way overpriced for such a low end (read: discontinued) specs

Sorry, but this statement makes it look like you don't know much about Apple and their product line. The processor in the mini Mac is about the same as that found in the iBook, PowerBook and eMac. "Discontinued" specs? Hardly. If it was a G4 800, then I'd agree with you.

 

[motoxpress]

You guys just need to open up your minds. This little mac is very capable of doing the HTPC thing. There is no specific definition or even a standard.

BTW Comparing a 1.25 G4 to a P3 is not appropriate. It's more like a P4 2.2 or 2.4 - plenty of juice.

mx

 

[Silvestry]

Well, for those of you comparing Apple to Dell/other Perfomance PCs based on performance, to me it is like comparing a Ferrari to a heavily modified Civic. I would take the Ferrari anyday, even if it is slower and far more expensive than the Civic. It is form over function, as long as there is above minimal function =)


Anyway, I am too poor to have a Ferrari, or even an Apple (I've never owned an Apple, although I would love to have one). But, what I know is a P-III (which I am using) is good enough for me. A little slow for Mathematica and very slow for Maya, but not too slow to warrant an upgrade.

My 2 cents... I don't think Apple can win based on performance, but it can definitely win on style and user friendliness!

Silvestry

 

[motoxpress]

Originally posted by: Silvestry
Well, for those of you comparing Apple to Dell/other Perfomance PCs based on performance, to me it is like comparing a Ferrari to a heavily modified Civic. I would take the Ferrari anyday, even if it is slower and far more expensive than the Civic. It is form over function, as long as there is above minimal function =)

Are you trying to compare a $500 Dell to an Italian hand-crafted sports car? Hmmm....

Anyway, I am too poor to have a Ferrari, or even an Apple (I've never owned an Apple, although I would love to have one). But, what I know is a P-III (which I am using) is good enough for me. A little slow for Mathematica and very slow for Maya, but not too slow to warrant an upgrade.

My 2 cents... I don't think Apple can win based on performance, but it can definitely win on style and user friendliness!

Silvestry

This isn't about performance (That's G5 territory) this is about size, convenience, style and cost. Apple seems to have addressed all of these very well.

gl

 

[Silvestry]

Are you trying to compare a $500 Dell to an Italian hand-crafted sports car? Hmmm....

No, APPLE->Ferrari and DELL->Civic...



Silvestry

 

[sluramod]

Originally posted by: bigpow
Definitely not suitable for HTPC because:
1. not enough power to play WMV-HD smoothly,
2. No built-in TV Tuner w/ HW enc. ala Win MCE,
3. Where's the SPDIF/Toslink, DVI/HD/Component outputs again?

On the positive side:
- hdtv recording over firewire is possible.
- you can use usb-to-spdif or firewire-to-spdif adapter

Alex

 

[motoxpress]

Originally posted by: sluramod

On the positive side:
- hdtv recording over firewire is possible.
- you can use firewire-to-spdif adapter

Alex

Actually, M-audio makes a neat little USB adaptor that will give you optical output of AC-3 and DTS to your receiver. It's $79 and works great.

Any PC-oriented HTPC box is not going to come with this in a $500 package.

mx

 

[Athena]

Originally posted by: motoxpress
[This isn't about performance (That's G5 territory) this is about size, convenience, style and cost. Apple seems to have addressed all of these very well.l

Only the most nearsighted Macophile could claim that offering a processor with no monitor, keyboard, or mouse addresses the cost issue. It's a smokescreen, the effective price is about $200 more. There is no sense in talking about $100 CRT monitors when Dell runs weekly promotions for free upgrade to an LCD monitor and you do want a decent keyboard and wheelmouse.

This new box may extend Apple's franchise a bit but it's not going to make a big difference in the overall market. I suspect that a lot of buyers will be Windows users who get KVM switches to use with their existing peripherals; and those users are not going to be impressed. I work with some applications that are used on both platforms and as far as I'm concerned, the Mac story is more hype than reality. One thing I've noticed is that whenever some nifty feature appears in a Mac application, It is rapidly incorporated into Windows programs. The reverse is not true -- Apple developers never take the time to incorporate innovations from the Wintel world, the "not invented here" syndrome is too well entrenched. The result is situations like that stupid Apple mouse with no buttons and the Windows mice with 5 programmable buttons.

 

[VooDooAddict]

They really need a 3rd version of this thing.

Call it the World of Warcraft Version ... or the Blizzard Version.

World of Warcraft is selling great. And has a Mac OSX Client.

It needs some serious RAM upgrades however to run WoW. 32megs of Video ram don't really cut it. And 512 System RAM is the Minimum for WoW. If they were to bundle it with a 9600 64meg or 128meg and 512RAM. Then I would have no quams about getting one of these for the girlfriend to play WoW on.

As it is I'm loaning her a P4 1.6, 1Gig DDR, GF3. (She gets to use a 2500+, 1Gig, 9800 when at my place)

More then a few WoW players I know would have been all over this $500 Mac for a 2nd Box if it could have handled WoW.

 

[motoxpress]

Ok. Go to Dell's website and configure a $500 PC and tell me what you get? A celeron, integrated video, No firewire, Windows XP home, integrated audio....This is no barnburner , htpc, workstation - It's a watered down, bucket of plastic. I have built many PCs (10+) and know what decent components cost and Dell is not using them - even in the $1,500 system. The $500 Dell and the Mac mini are not comparable in terms of quality.

I am not blinded by the Mac-world. I use them both in my work (I have a Dell LCD BTW). I am just stating the fact that Apple has delivered a very solid value here and if you can't see it then you must be blind.

mx

 

[Insomniak]

Is anyone else laughing as hard as I am at this thing?

 

[tsch]

Originally posted by: Athena

Originally posted by: motoxpress
[This isn't about performance (That's G5 territory) this is about size, convenience, style and cost. Apple seems to have addressed all of these very well.l

Only the most nearsighted Macophile could claim that offering a processor with no monitor, keyboard, or mouse addresses the cost issue. It's a smokescreen, the effective price is about $200 more. There is no sense in talking about $100 CRT monitors when Dell runs weekly promotions for free upgrade to an LCD monitor and you do want a decent keyboard and wheelmouse.

As I understand it, the motivating factor behind the mini is that Apple figured out that lots of iPod owners would try a Mac if they could afford one. Now, if a user owns an iPod, that user almost certainly also owns a keyboard, mouse, and monitor since they already own a computer. Therefore, that user would not need to purchase a new keyboard and mouse (unless it's a PS2 keyboard & a serial mouse) to use with the mini. If someone doesn't own a computer and is looking to purchase a Mac then yes, the mini is not as cheap of a choice. However, if the prospective buyer already owns rudimentary computer hardware, the buyer would be well served to consider the mini.

The last paragraph of your post was opinion based on experience, so I could talk about my experienes with the "decent" keyboard that comes with a Dell (I've had to replace all of mine), but I'll spare you .

 

[Athena]

Obviously, some marketing genius somewhere had enough data to persuade enough people to do this. That doesn't mean it will fly. People will try just about anything if it is cheap enough. Just having an iPod doesn't justify buyng a computer though when you already have a computer that can do everything you need it to do and I bet that very few of the users in that market segment will go the KVM switch route. Not to mention the fact that the whole marketing strategy of the iPod has been to not require a Mac to use.

I don't know why you've had to replace your Dell keyboard(s) -- we have several hundred and they have definitely not been the pain point that the Mac ones have been. Many users opt for fancier ones (which they can have it its in the departmental budget) but that's up to them.

 

[kenan921]

I've got to give credit where credit is due. Apple took a bottom of the line $799 ibook (1.25ghz G4, Radeon 9200, Notebook CD and Notebook HD) Removed the Beautiful 12" screen, Fabulous keyboard, and touchpad, and is making it seem as if they've designed the greatest thing since sliced bread. Come on guys am I the only one who sees that the "Mini" is just an I book minus the portability and notebook functionality. Why not spend the extra $300 and buy a portable version that includes everything you need to get up and go. Heck amazon ran a special that brought the Ibook with almost the same specs as this great new MAC for $699 a few months back. This machine is not that big of a deal, Just buy an ibook you get a 12" screen, speakers, keyboard, touchpad, and more for 200-300 extra dollars. You're going to have to shell out for all these accessories anyway. Plus it?s actually easier to upgrade the mem/HD of an Ibook than it is to play with one of these things.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: salsa086
this is golden

And when you want to take a break, play the 3D games Nanosaur 2 and Marble Blast Gold.

for the price of this system you can get a PC with REAL gaming potential


and if it's all about browsing the web securely on the cheap, all of the mac kool-aid drinkers would actually be buying a $200 lindows system from costco... instead they are drawn to the pretty lights and apple logos in all the movies.. and one wonders how the Koresh's of this world ever developed a following....

You are fvcking retarded. Who would even consider buying this system for gaming? I don't see pretty lights on the mac mini, I see a wonderful elegant simple design. People wouldbe/are buying this because it allows them to experience/use OS X for ~$500, and not have to pay the extra for a monitor or mouse they may already have.

 

[vi edit]

There is a HUGE percentage of people out there with ancient systems and still perfectly functioning CRT's. You can toss on a USB mouse and keyboard for $30 that will be superior to the crappy non-optical mouse and quietkey keyboards that dell ships out on their bottom end systems. You DON'T HAVE TO BUY a new monitor every time you upgrade. You can go to best buy and get really nice 17" CRT's for under $100 now. Much better than the curved glass hunks of crap that Dell ships out on their bargain PC's.

This is a great computing upgrade choice for college kids wanting to cut down on space in the dorm room, or your average home user that wants to have a home computer without dedicating a large footprint or storage area for a tower. It's quiet, it looks nice, and it will be very functional for 75% of computer users.

It's virtually immune to adware and viruses, it's easy to use, and comes with some very capable and functional programs for most home users. It's ideal for the elderly, especially if you pair it up with the typical one button mouse No question which button you have to hit

Had I not purchased Dell PC's for my family last year (at $280 a piece) I would be looking at these for them instead.

Most people just need a new system that works well out of the box. This is ideal for them.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: kenan921
I've got to give credit where credit is due. Apple took a bottom of the line $799 ibook (1.25ghz G4, Radeon 9200, Notebook CD and Notebook HD) Removed the Beautiful 12" screen, Fabulous keyboard, and touchpad, and is making it seem as if they've designed the greatest thing since sliced bread. Come on guys am I the only one who sees that the "Mini" is just an I book minus the portability and notebook functionality. Why not spend the extra $300 and buy a portable version that includes everything you need to get up and go. Heck amazon ran a special that brought the Ibook with almost the same specs as this great new MAC for $699 a few months back. This machine is not that big of a deal, Just buy an ibook you get a 12" screen, speakers, keyboard, touchpad, and more for 200-300 extra dollars. You're going to have to shell out for all these accessories anyway. Plus it?s actually easier to upgrade the mem/HD of an Ibook than it is to play with one of these things.

Yeh, and instead of buying a $1200 Optiplex SX200, people could have bought a $1500 Latitude. Or instead of buying a $400 Dimension 2400 they could have bought a $700 Inspiron 1100...or whatever the latest models are.

Who cares what the guts are. Bottom line is that most people don't need a laptop for $300 more when a nonportable desktop works just fine.

 

[sapiens74]

I run a dual 2.0 G5, Powerbook 1.5, and a 3.6 ghz Windows PC. OS X is way less bloated and runs way better on a slower machine then Windows could. Windows you HAVE to use more modern hardware. With Apple you don't have to upgrade as much and slower machines run really well. THis is a steal for a MAC and that college student or someone buying thier first computer will have I-life and a fully functional Mail program free of charge. They will not have to have Adware, Spybot, and some form of third party Firewall, or antivirus.

Sure I play World of Warcraft on my Windows PC, with my x800, but I use my MAC for everything else.

BTW Apple gives serious education discounts and programs like Office 2004 can be had for pretty cheap. Everything else you need comes with the MAC.

Also you can use some of the newer MS keyboards and mouse with the MAC, or a Logitech mice like the MX1000 are supported.

 

[rvr2k3]

Originally posted by: kenan921
I've got to give credit where credit is due. Apple took a bottom of the line $799 ibook (1.25ghz G4, Radeon 9200, Notebook CD and Notebook HD) Removed the Beautiful 12" screen, Fabulous keyboard, and touchpad, and is making it seem as if they've designed the greatest thing since sliced bread. Come on guys am I the only one who sees that the "Mini" is just an I book minus the portability and notebook functionality. Why not spend the extra $300 and buy a portable version that includes everything you need to get up and go. Heck amazon ran a special that brought the Ibook with almost the same specs as this great new MAC for $699 a few months back. This machine is not that big of a deal, Just buy an ibook you get a 12" screen, speakers, keyboard, touchpad, and more for 200-300 extra dollars. You're going to have to shell out for all these accessories anyway. Plus it?s actually easier to upgrade the mem/HD of an Ibook than it is to play with one of these things.

I guess it would be better to run this system on a 12inch screen, instead of my Dell 2005FPW. Also, it is much nicer to be tethered to a keyboard and touchpad instead of my Logitech MX Duo. Sarcasm off.

I have been a PC user since my 2nd adult PC. My first was a Mac. I don't understand why so many PC people are knocking this thing. It is what it is. A Mac for a reasonable price. I ordered it because I want all the sotware goodies that are on this machine, not because I am trying to replace my pcs.

I wish everyone would take a breath and relax.

 

[jbloggs]

Ok, I know next to nothing about Macs, so my question may sound like Duh! question, but here goes.

Will Final Cut Pro run on the mini mac?

 

[nguyendot1]

If this were a G5, it'd be hot hot hot... But until then its just an expensive toy like the ipod...only not as portable.

 

[motoxpress]

Originally posted by: jbloggs
Ok, I know next to nothing about Macs, so my question may sound like Duh! question, but here goes.

Will Final Cut Pro run on the mini mac?

FCP will run on it. You will want to have at least the 512 ram and a FW external drive to capture footage. If you are just starting, I would look at Final Cut Express HD. It's a great package to get started with.

mx

 

[Jeriko]

I think a lot of you are really being overcritical and have your expectations too high. I'm a PC user - never owned a Mac - but for a secondary system to be hooked up to a flat panel TV or the like for email, web browsing, movies, MP3s, etc this is a great little clutter-free device. Instead of thinking of it as a stripped down computer, think of it as a super-functional WebTV device. If you have a a large screen DLP or LCD TV (or even a small one for the bedroom or whatever), this is a terrific addition in place of a DVD player. Network it to a media server and you have a super sleek, quiet media unit.

I think it's ideal, frankly. Certainly looks better on a dresser or desk than a Shuttle box (I have one BTW, so don't think I'm badmouthing Shuttle -- in fact it is my media server).

And for 99% of the things you'd ever want to do, it's more than capable.